Jamie DessartProfessor of English

Jamie is in the midst of her 16th year at Waynesburg University, where she teaches composition and literature while also advising students. Her office is located on the 3rd floor of Buhl Hall.

How did you end up at Waynesburg University?

Funny story: I never actually applied for the job at WU. Dr. Marilyn Roberts, who at the time was chair of the English department, got my CV through her husband (who worked at another school in the area that shall remain nameless), and he passed my credentials on to her. So, it was a surprise to get the call. The second I drove up between Stewart Hall and the gym for my campus interview, I fell in love with the place and the rest is history!

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

I’ve always loved the top floor of Eberly Library with its quiet spaces, great views from the windows and hidden rooms. It’s a great place to sit and read.

Tell us something we may not know about your job at WU.

Along with teaching and advising students, I serve on the Curriculum Committee as well as the Assessment Committee. I actually like doing the work of organizing curriculum proposals and keeping up with changing ideas about how to assess our goals.

What’s your most memorable WU moment?

I’m going to cheat and say the moment at every graduation day when the faculty process through the lines of graduating seniors. Seeing those smiling faces, some I’ve seen every day, some I’ve had only once in class, truly reminds me of how God works on our campus.

What do you consider the most special or unique part of your job?

Sharing things I love and watching students get excited about it. A student just said he’d never enjoyed a writing class until he was in mine. That’s the special part of the job.

Vikki Beppler ('11, '14)Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Despite graduating with a degree in public relations in 2011, Vikki Beppler never really left Waynesburg University. She began her career in Alumni Relations shortly after graduation and obtained her MBA from WU in 2014. You can find her in the Office of Institutional Advancement on the second floor of Miller Hall, where she keeps over 16,000 alumni engaged and connected with their alma mater!

What's your favorite spot on campus?

I have two. First is the fourth floor of Buhl Hall where I spent a lot of time as a student and where I met my husband, Josh. The second is the bench that sits behind Miller Hall and faces Johnson Commons. If you find the right time during the fall season, you can sit there and watch the leaves cascade from the trees; it's absolute perfection. Plus, there's a great view of Roberts Chapel.

What's your favorite fun fact about WU?

Bruce Springsteen and Kansas played a concert here in the 1970s!

What's your favorite annual event?

Homecoming! And I'm not just saying that. I love meeting alumni who haven't been back to campus since they've graduated (sometimes it's been decades since they're been back!) and hear how much it's changed.

What's your most memorable WU moment?

I got to ring the Hanna Hall Bell at Commencement in 2015. It was quite an honor!

How has WU changed in the time you have worked here?

You wouldn't think a lot has changed in five years, but it definitely has! When I started, Roberts Chapel was just being completed, and they were just starting to work on renovating Stewart Science Hall. It's been exciting to see so much growth here.

BONUS: What does Homecoming at WU mean to you?

Homecoming, to me, is exactly what it sounds like - a time for alumni to come home to WU and celebrate with us. There's so much to do and see, and I can't wait for October 7-8!

After spending some time as an adjunct professor, Josh started as a full-time employee at Waynesburg University on August 1, 2016. He assists Reverend Jim Tinnemeyer in being a resource to our students in regards to campus ministry and Christian life at Waynesburg University, regularly assisting with Chapel on Tuesday mornings and serves as a support system for the variety of Campus Ministries that take place on campus. His office is located in Buhl Hall 213, but you can usually catch him floating around the Stover Student Center as well.

How did you end up at Waynesburg University?

I was previously employed as a youth pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Waynesburg, PA. It was an incredible ministry opportunity that allowed me to partner with the incredible students at Waynesburg University. It was in that partnership that I began to enter the world of teaching as an adjunct in 2015 within the Biblical & Ministry Studies Program. When the need arose for an assistant chaplain and faculty member within the department, it seemed like a perfect match for my gifts, goals and calling.

What's your favorite spot on campus?

I’ve got two! First, Robert’s Chapel is one of the most peaceful and beautiful spaces on campus. Second, the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse is a favorite location because I love rooting for the WU basketball teams!

Tell us something we may not know about your job at WU.

As the assistant chaplain, I try to be a resource to others across campus. Over the years, I have led devotionals and prayer times with the WU men's basketball team.

What's your most memorable WU moment?

It was a blessing for me to preach during the Chapel service in which over 600+ people attended, including the entire freshmen class. It was standing room only!

What do you consider the most special or unique part of your job?

I get the behind-the-scenes look at how hard our Chapel Worship Teams & Upper Room Worship Team work to be effective in leading worship! It has been a joy to spend time with such talented students!

BONUS: What does Homecoming at WU mean to you?

Homecoming is a time of excitement and memories! It is great to see generations of alumni return to campus to celebrate the way that Waynesburg University played a role in their life!

Marie CoffmanDirector of Career Services

Marie has been a member of the Waynesburg University family for 29 years, spending the last 14 in Career Services. As director, she guides services and programs that help students develop the necessary professional skills to achieve their goals, advance their professions and serve their communities. Marie's office is located on the third floor of Stover Campus Center in room 307.

How did you end up at Waynesburg University?

I moved back to the area from Clarksburg, WV, and accepted a temporary position in Admissions. Less than a year later, I was offered a full-time position. Since that time, I have received my bachelor's and MBA degrees and now lead our Career Services Center.

What's your favorite spot on campus?

Roberts Chapel is my favorite spot because it's beautiful! It's not the only place on campus, but the main place where you can worship, pray and celebrate our Father in Heaven!

What's your favorite fun fact about WU?

We were one of the first colleges to offer degrees to women!

Tell us something we may not know about your job at WU.

I was elected to be PERC (Pittsburgh Education Recruitment Consortium) President for two years running, and I am currently a member of many organizations that help connect students with employers and graduate schools.

What's your most memorable WU moment?

There are so many, but each time a student comes into my office beaming because they were selected for a full-time job or an internship - that's memorable for me!

Evonne BaldauffAssociate Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Forensic Science

What started as a split appointment between Waynesburg University and a local tech company, Evonne can hardly believe how the time has flown 9 years later. You can often find her in the glass hallway on the 5th floor of the recently-renovated Stewart Science Center, enjoying the opportunity to hang out with students and talk chemistry.

What's your favorite spot on campus?

We have a lab in Stewart Hall on the 5th floor with huge windows that has a fantastic view of Greene County. It is particularly beautiful on dark, stormy days!

Tell us something we may not know about your job at WU.

I research coffee! We have been collaborating with a local roaster in Pittsburgh to try to help develop a set of metrics that will allow a barista to know if their beans are good for brewing. Specifically, what is happening chemically to the beans once they have been roasted that will yield a really great cup of coffee vs. a mediocre flavor? Using our instrumentation, we have been working to identify what is happening in the beans compared with the flavor of the produced coffee. My students presented some of this information at a recent conference. It's a great project because we can potentially make a real impact and we get to drink a lot of coffee!

What's your favorite annual event?

The Haunted Lab, which is hosted by our ACS Student Chapter [of which Evonne is the advisor]. It is a service event open to campus and community that aims to get people interested in chemistry. It is a ton of work to set up, but a lot of fun. As my son has gotten older he has really begun to enjoy it more, which I absolutely love.

What's your most memorable WU moment?

For Christmas last year, my department members surprised me with a group picture. They posed as a Christmas tree complete with tinsel, Santa hats and reindeer noses in front of a Periodic Table. I can't help but laugh whenever I look at it. I think they had a lot of fun taking it too!

How has WU changed in the time you have worked here?

The renovation of Stewart Hall has been a huge change, as that is where I predominantly spend my days! The new labs are beautiful and provide a fantastic teaching environment!

BONUS: What does Homecoming at WU mean to you?

Because I am SO bad at keeping up with social media, Homecoming provides a hopeful opportunity for me to reconnect with former students and to learn what they are doing with their degrees!